Backlash Growing Over Obama School Speech

Washington Post: Some Schools Will Block or Delay Obama's Back to School Pep Talk for Students

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Michael Alison Chandler and Michael D. Shear.

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Parents who want their children to hear President Obama's back-to-school message Tuesday might have to keep them home. School systems from the Washington suburbs to Houston are balking at airing the speech to all of their students. Loudoun County and Charles County have no plans to show it at all.

Logistics, rather than politics, are driving many of the decisions, especially in Northern Virginia, where Tuesday is the first day of school.

The speech, which will be broadcast live from Wakefield High School in Arlington County, was planned as an inspirational message "entirely about encouraging kids to work hard and stay in school," said White House spokesman Tommy Vietor. Education Secretary Arne Duncan sent a letter to principals nationwide encouraging them to show it.

But the announcement of the speech prompted a frenzied response from some conservatives, who called it an attempt to indoctrinate students, not motivate them.

Jim Greer, chairman of the Florida Republican Party, said the speech is an effort to "spread President Obama's socialist ideology" and "justify his positions" on health care, the economy and taxes. Conservative columnist Michelle Malkin claimed that "the left has always used kids in public schools as guinea pigs and as junior lobbyists for their social liberal agenda."

CBSNews.com Special Report: Back to School

White House officials said they were surprised and frustrated by the reaction to a speech they said amounts to an educational pep talk. Vietor said the speech will be released Monday to give parents time to review it and decide for themselves. "There's a tradition in Washington of attack first, ask questions later," he said. "There is a 'ready, fire, aim' approach to political attacks. It's unfortunate that politics has been brought into this.

"It is not a policy speech. There is no discussion of health care or Afghanistan or any political issues. This is a speech about the importance of staying in school and working hard."

Previous presidents have given national speeches in schools. In October 1991, President George H.W. Bush gave a nationally televised speech to students at Alice Deal Junior High School in the District, encouraging them to study hard and avoid drugs. At the time, House Democrats criticized the speech for having political motivations.

The line between politics and schools has always been closely watched by both parties, said Diane Ravitch, an education historian at New York University. "Anything that seems to advance the presidents' agenda would bring them the wrath of Congress."

She said that Obama's speech appears to have a positive "study hard" message but that the educational materials that accompany it might have crossed an "invisible line" for some.

Many critics focused their concerns on suggested classroom activities, which appeared to solicit support for Obama. In response, the Education Department changed one proposal from having children write letters to themselves about "what they could do to help the president" to writing about "how they can achieve their short-term and long-term educational goals."

Supporters of the president's plan argued that it was a nonissue.

"This is coming out of right field," said Andrew J. Rotherham, co-founder of the District-based think tank Education Sector. "There is nothing here."

In the Washington area and beyond, school systems fielded phone calls from parents about the speech while juggling the myriad pressures of a packed back-to-school schedule. Officials in Howard and Prince William counties reported dozens of phone calls from parents objecting to the speech being shown during the school day.

Loudoun officials sent a note to principals Tuesday advising them to keep their first-day schedules intact. "We have got way too much to do that day," said School Board Chairman Robert F. DuPree Jr. "Loudoun County Public Schools is not going to be interrupting the school day." But he said teachers could incorporate the speech into future lessons.

Officials in Charles said they will not air it because of technical limitations. "If we can't show it to all, we can't show it to any," schools spokesman Steven Sprouse said.

W.H.: School Speech Criticism Reflects "Silly Season"
Obama Aims Speech at Students
Conservatives Revolt Over Obama Speech to Students

Elsewhere in the region, most systems said they are leaving the decision of whether to show the speech up to principals or teachers.

Prince William County Schools spokesman Ken Blackstone said the president's address will be treated like any other educational technology product that comes through the schools' office. He said officials will send it to schools as an "FYI" or "a potential instructional resource."

D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee was more optimistic about the address but also said her principals will decide how to deal with it.

"I think it's a wonderful precedent to set for the president of the United States to be speaking directly to children," Rhee said.

Brian Dunnell, a social studies teacher at Annandale High School in Fairfax County said he did not want his students to miss the opportunity to hear Obama's message to them.

"To have a man in his position tell them that education is important . . . kids will be inspired."

Staff writers Michael Birnbaum, Debbi Wilgoren and Bill Turque contributed to this report.

[TheMasses2002]

by ----One-American---- September 4, 2009 11:17 AM EDT
Parents don't want self-serving propaganda from a person who appointed "czars" as his advisors - many of which are documented Communists and Marxists.

America has had enough of Obama - regardless of his skin color.
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Yep ................

[avigil2]

What has our nation come to where some parents and most especially, Republicans, have a problem with the President of the United States wanting to give an inspirational speech about the importance of education? This totally sickens me that it's even an issue. GET OVER IT PEOPLE!

[babooph]

Deathly in fear of blacks,mexicans,Islam,socialism,healtcare change,gays,Northerners,Californians,& now children hearing a talk from their president-these "conservatives" are more delusional by the day!Their pastors have them going off the deep end -when they are in trouble or in doubt,they run around ,scream & shout.

[bcpats]

so trite

[fvander]

For all you liberals who are unable to understand why any parent with half a brain would object to their child being subjected to this video ... why don't you take the time to watch it from start to finish ? It's not about a pep talk for kids to do well in school ! For the most part, the video has some very good messages in it ... until it gets to the part that says, "I pledge to serve my president, Barack Obama." That ruins the entire video and reduces it to political propaganda. The president is in office to serve the American people .... NOT the other way around! I don't want my child being brain washed by political propaganda shown in school, or any where else where my parental influence can prevent such rubbish. It's a matter of PRINCIPAL! Sure, I could talk to my child about the video and explain to them the flawed message at the very end, but that doesn't make it OK for our govt to air propaganda to our public school systems. Our schools are not allowed to teach religion or pray, yet you liberals think it's OK for our govt to teach our kids to honor and serve Barack Obama ??? Just because I am a conserative and disagree with some of Barack Obama's liberal views and tachtics does not make me a racist. I am absolutely NOT a racist/ In fact, I actually like a lot of what Obama says. He is a very smart and cunning politician. The problem is, while he verbally communicates some good general ideas, he has no detailed plans to make those ideas work, and in the background, he is doing totally different things, contrary the the messages he so skillfully and deceptively articulates.

[fvander]

I wish to recall my comments above. Apparently, the video I watched is NOT the video of Obama's planned school speech. I just read the entire text of the planned speech released from the white house, and it is all good. I don't know how many other parents have been mis-led by incorrect information obtained from the internet, but I urge anybody who has concerns about their child listening to Obama's speech, please read it first and don't be fooled by the Utube video hoax that I watched. Here is the real speech -- http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/07/obama.school.speech/index.html#cnnSTCText

[kiawest]

The republicans speeches were not centered around how the kids can help "serve the President(Obama)". It was to motivate the children to do well and stay in school. It was "about the kids". Obama is ALWAYS about Obama. The president should serve the people, he is not a king where we serve him; we elected him to "serve" us. We respect the position of President, but the person who holds it must "earn" respect and trust of the people. He acts as though if people don't agree, they are "terrorists" as called by his party. Parents who are called "terrorists" for disagreeing, have a right to be concerned and protect their children as they choose. This president appoints communists czars, his campaign website calls his citizens that disagree terrorists, the CBS media doesn't report it and wonder why people are concerned about him asking for help from kids..to do what, support his agenda like the video in Utah. Wake up and report CBS.

[domacrat]

President Bush was sitting in a Third Grade Class reading a Fairy Tale. In less that a hour, both Towers at the Worlds was Attact, an hour latter, both layed on the Ground. Obama hope that you don't try something that President did!!

[wdrussell1]

The GOP is so consumed with hate, they can't see anything else.

Make sure that any school that doesn't allow the speech never ever lets another politician or candidate speak at that school.
Fair is fair.

[x-woody-x]

So the republican party has become what, the new KKK? Could you guys get crazier? Oh, sorry, I sure don't want to make Glenn Beck cry over 'his' America again...or Bill Ocrazymanriley to scream at another boyscout..I can't wait for the day, and it's coming I'm sure, that one of the holes on fox says the 'N' word on the air because I have no doubt they use it off the air.

[Hulk-Smash]

Hulk guess that "socialist" is new code for "black".

[catherinemerrill]

I am a texas mid-liberal. I could care less what he is saying to the children. Educate yourself on the history of the theory of American government. The problem is NOT who is president or what he is saying to the children ....The problem is with setting a precedent where it is acceptable for the president to address children-not voters-in a setting that is obviously out of the supervision of parents.

So-if this is acceptable, what if we have a new president down the road that addresses our children with a message we don't agree with? Read you history books. Hitler youth, etc.

I am in no way a political activist. I am a history teacher. Up til now I have been very neutral. Mr. President has my full attention now.
I will view the message. If I find it acceptable, I will by all means allow my children to view it. I am all for positive messages to my children. It is merely a matter of an elected government WAY overstepping its bounds.

[catherinemerrill]

C'mon. It isnt a matter of the president....who he is, what he stands for, any of that. Left, right, democrat, republican, independent, or freaking whig for all i care. I am NOT a political activist. Up till this latest Obama thing, I have been pretty neutral...he hasn't been in office long enough to judge.

HOWEVER---the government is WAY overstepping the bounds by waiting until the children are separated from parents to address them. I would have absolutely no problem with a presidential address urging parents to have their children watch the program. I dont care if he is giving a message of universal love and acceptance, I never signed up to allow the government to directly influence my children in ANY way. His responsibility is to the voters of this nation. OUR responsibilty, one of those "inalienable rights" is to raise our children....it may not be enumerated in the constitution, it should b understood.

Wake up. We have surrendered enough of our privacy and freedoms due to fear, apathy, and blind trust.

[TXliberal]

This is embarrassing. My country has been completely violated by the crazies, new world order people, far right wing religious fundamentalists (who usually don't know much about their own religion btw), and out-right racists. It is frightening that so many of these people have children. Why is it that ignorance is so common in this place? It is practically its own religion with these people.

[catherinemerrill]

I am a texas mid-liberal. I could care less what he is saying to the children. Educate yourself on the history of the theory of American government. The problem is NOT who is president or what he is saying to the children ....The problem is with setting a precedent where it is acceptable for the president to address children-not voters-in a setting that is obviously out of the supervision of parents.

So-if this is acceptable, what if we have a new president down the road that addresses our children with a message we don't agree with? Read you history books. Hitler youth, etc.

I am in no way a political activist. I am a history teacher. Up til now I have been very neutral. Mr. President has my full attention now.
I will view the message. If I find it acceptable, I will by all means allow my children to view it. I am all for positive messages to my children. It is merely a matter of an elected government WAY overstepping its bounds.

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[deldomi]

This is all very frightening and sad. What is this country coming to when people start trying to prevent our President from speaking to the citizens of this country? I am 48 years old and I remember seeing every single President in office during my lifetime on television and speaking to school children. We should be happy to have a President who desires communication.
The conservative right are acting like little children throwing a tantrum because they didn't get their way. The problem is that they are only able to express themselves in angry, mean spirited, divisive and in many cases, violent means. (Ministers telling their congregations that they "would like to see obama killed"?) Why can't we work together like intelligent human beings and build this country back to where it was a decade ago? (strong economy, no war, etc)

[reveal5]

One word is now commonly being used by commentators on the left and right to describe the tea party fringe movement. That word id "INSANE." America is waking up to the confusion on the right wing fringe. The granny and gramps racist fringe revolutionary crowd is composed of primarily Republican Medicare seniors. Maybe these folks should just stay away from kids.

[fcs25]

The American public is beginning to see the mistake they made in electing this man to the office of president and the back-lash is part of that.

[woeisme1]

Ya can't count all the hoods at your last indoctrination training session at militia movement headquarters.

[woeisme1]

This whole thing in this country right now is almost surreal. The republicans are just so bizarre.

We have seen this before in history but certainly never with the vile accusations, the threats, the sick mind games these republicans are playing on our most vulnerable citizens. It was never quite like this in '65 when Johnson struggled with the republicans for Medicare.

We all know this has got to stop. Since before this election the republicans have steadily accosted Obama with every accusation known to man. Hell, there even so blind in their hate that they call him a fascist and a socialist and don't realize how stupid that is! LOL

They are certainly motivated by racism. They want him to fail. The radio and TV personalities want Obama assassinated. They just stir the pot and lure in the simple to taste of their well of racism and hatred, and then they send them spewing their hatred and racism.

No pun intended, but Ray Charles could see this.

[woeisme1]

by alanrobisch September 4, 2009 9:27 PM EDT
PLease stop the racism comments. It seems that whenever this president takes criticism its called racism How sad I guess he needs to use his race to defend himself rather than proving the valididty of his point or your point.

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Why should we? The republican extremists ARE racist and we all know it. In fact, here. This is from earlier today. One of your militia buddies said to say hello.


by shizmyniz September 4, 2009 12:55 PM EDT
I don't think it should be up to a nig prez to tell kids anything other than where to get fried chicken and watermelon.

by shizmyniz September 4, 2009 1:01 PM EDT
Maybe nobama can show a jungle dance and shake chicken bones. This is all about race frikken idiots.

by shizmyniz September 4, 2009 2:00 PM EDT
The south will rise again and then woe you can shine my shoes.

You were saying? I suppose this is'nt racist?

[daisyjingles]

This is just another ploy by the conservatives to take tge dusussion away from the issue of health care reform.

The big health care insurance companies are the OPEC of America.

They do not want the competition that would be there if we have a public option.

Their goal is to get richer any way they can.

This is a capitalistic society in which there should be competition. The biggies also make it harder for smaller insurance companies to get a foothold because changing insurance companies can mean that pre-existing condiitions are not covered. When that happens, it is too costly to change companies. Health care insurance should be as competitive as car insurance.